Reader Discussion: Will You Use Your Real Name For Next-Gen Gaming?

Both Microsoft and Sony will allow users to be identified by
their real names on their next-gen consoles. Will you actually use the
functionality?

Today Sony
confirmed that PlayStation 4 will support real-name IDs from launch. Microsoft
also intends to allow users to be identified by their real names on Xbox One,
but says the functionality will
be patched in sometime after the console’s debut. Both companies have
confirmed that real-name IDs will be entire optional, which begs the question:
Will you actually use them?

In addition to making it easier to recognize your friends, one
of the assumed advantages to using your real name is that it potentially makes people
behave more like human beings by stripping them of the shield of anonymity. Of
course that only works if the one hurling the abuse opts in – an unlikely
scenario for most trolls. On the flipside, using your real name also opens the
door for real-life griefing, something parents especially will likely be
concerned with (and the reason Microsoft and Sony likely made real-name IDs
optional in the first place)

As much as I would like to contribute to creating a better
online environment, I think I’ll still choose to do my gaming under an assumed
identity. I’m well accustomed to the typical level of discourse in online matches
and chatrooms, and while I hope Microsoft and Sony can create a more civil
playground for next-gen gaming, I’m not holding my breath. I’d like to be
surprised, but until I am, I’ll only be sharing my real name with my friends.

What about you? Are you ready to wade into the online gaming
world with your real name, or will you be sticking to an alter ego? Share your
thoughts in the comments below.

I might use my real name since there is no one else in the world with it.Alive at least.But I wouldn't want a bunch of people I don't care for calling me by my name either.I'm kinda on the fence about it honestly.

The thing about your online ID is that it's yours and special in that way. That's the reason that I'm not using my real name, because I'm accustomed to the other name I use.
Also, what if there are people with the same name playing together then? That will cause a lot of confusion and there are tons of people with the same name.

As far as I'm concerned, I would imagine there would be an option to choose who can see your real name and who can't. With that setting in place, I definitely would use the feature with people I trust, as should anyone, with PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND TRUST.
If it is actually one of those things that is just a simple switch for everyone at once, then it's a waste of a feature; but I don't think Sony or Microsoft would mess something like that up so easily.

If it was only visible to people I have added to my friend list, then sure. It would be handy to know their real name (I can identify someone better remembering "Thomas" as them rather than TJFist8384) and I prefer people I might consider friends to know my real name as well.

Otherwise, nah. I don't want it broadcasted for all to see just anywhere. I don't mind it on here because GIO has one of the tamest communities I've encountered and I feel comfortable with my name here.